Study: Top safety fleets enforce total ban on cell phones

A new study by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) of company vehicle fleet crash rates reveals that “the top safety performers are companies with policies enacting a total ban on cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) and that establish strong consequences—including termination—for employees who violate such policies

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A new study by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) of company vehicle fleet crash rates reveals that “the top safety performers are companies with policies enacting a total ban on cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) and that establish strong consequences—including termination—for employees who violate such policies.”

NETS’ latest Strength in Numbers fleet benchmarking study found the “significant commonalities among the leading performers” were not only that they were more likely to have a total ban on mobile phone use, but 6 of the 8 leading companies were also more likely to terminate a driver for violating the company’s mobile device policy. By comparison, all thirteen companies that fell in the bottom of the rankings had some degree of a mobile device policy-- but none had the option to terminate a driver for violating the policy.

“This is the first evidence we’ve seen that shows the combination of a strong mobile device policy and strict consequences can result in lower crash rates,” said Bill Windsor, NETS Board Chairman. “The benchmark study shows the potential for well-written state laws combined with strong enforcement to eventually reduce crash rates in the general population.”

The year-long benchmarking study examined fleets from 45 leading companies in the pharmaceutical, oil and gas, food and beverage, telecommunications, transportation, package delivery and insurance industries. The companies, including 27 in the Fortune 500, operate a combined fleet of just over 400,000 vehicles, which logged more than 8 billion miles in 2009. The study participants’ crash rate per million miles (CPMM) ranged from less than one to nearly 12.

“Last year, distracted driving killed nearly 6,000 people and injured half a million more,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has stated. “I want to thank the companies who have stepped up to help fight talking and texting behind the wheel by establishing employee policies with tough penalties for distracted driving. Through these kinds of efforts, we can put a stop to the needless and tragic deaths and injuries caused by this dangerous epidemic.”

The NETS study also revealed that eight out of nine of the top-ranking fleets regularly review drivers’ mobile phone records after a crash to determine if the driver was using a phone at the time of the incident. Other best practices include: conducting a commentary drive (ride-along with a co-worker or manager) after a collision; tracking CPMM on a monthly basis; and publishing fleet safety performance via monthly scorecards.

The study includes tips on setting up a corporate mobile-device policy:

· Make sure there is a policy, not a guideline. Guidelines are typically interpreted as suggestions and so are more difficult to enforce.

· Policy language must be clear. One member’s policy prohibits employees from using “any electronic device in any gear other than park.” Another company’s policy language clearly prohibits “all electronic devices” so there is no confusion over which devices are allowed—they ban them all.

· Contractors should abide by the same rules as employees. Make sure the policy also covers any contractors working on behalf of the organization and that they are aware of and have signed off on the policy.

· Enforcement is key. One NETS member emphasized they make sure their employees and contractors understand “if you break the rules, you don’t work for us.”

The Strength in Numbers fleet benchmarking study brings together socially responsible companies willing to look at their own crash metrics, compare findings and share what they’ve learned. The program is for all types of companies and organizations— large or small, local or global, public or private. Participants collect standardized data over a 12-month period. Once compiled, the resulting benchmarking data show how a company compares in terms of crash frequencies taking into consideration road safety policies, driver training programs, crash review practices and more. Members identify best practices to put in place a cost effective, integrated, and comprehensive plan to improve fleet-safety performance, NETs added.

The Strength in Numbers fleet benchmark program also includes access to road safety experts and an invitation to attend and participate in NETS’ annual Benchmark Best Practices Conference. For more information on the Strength in Numbers program or to become a participant, go to the NETS website at www.trafficsafety.org or send an e-mail to jhanley@trafficsafety.org.

NETS is a 501(c)3 organization, a partnership between the U.S. federal government and lcompanies including Abbott, AmeriFleet Transportation, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Chubb Group of Insurance, Johnson & Johnson, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, Nationwide Mutual Insurance, Monsanto Company and UPS.